STRATEGIC PLAN and BUDGET 2008

Origin

The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions was established in 1982 through an Act in Parliament

Since its inception, the Act has been amended regularly to accommodate new requirements and also allow for inclusiveness of registration

The latest Act is the Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003 (Act 27 of 2003)

Core Function

The Council registers individuals as professions natural

scientists with the objective to protect the general public and

the scientific professions at large against any malpractice

Service

The Council’s responsibility is the statutory registration of individuals in the following categories:

Certificated Natural Scientist (Currently 104)Candidate Natural Scientist (Currently 162)Professional Natural Scientist (Currently 3450)

Structure

The Council has the following structure:

A permanent secretariat consisting of a Registrar, Registration’s Official, Secretary and Debtor’s Clerk

The CouncilThe Registration CommitteeProfessional Advisory CommitteesThe Education CommitteeThe Disciplinary & Ethics Committee

Mission

To establish, direct, sustain and ensure a high level of professionalism and ethical conduct of natural scientists in South Africa that is internationally acceptable and in the broad interest of the public as a whole and of the natural sciences

ObjectivesTo promote the practice of natural science professions in

South Africa

To exercise control over the standards of professional conduct of professional natural scientists

To monitor the standards of education and training of natural scientists

To recognise the appropriateness of education and training, which is a pre-requisite for registration in terms of the Act

To become as visible to the natural scientist community the Council serves, by means of appropriate marketing strategies and campaigns

Strengths

Pool of professional registered Council members of which many of which function in the academic area

International recognition

Current pool of registered Natural Scientists: 3667

Positive Annual report as a public document

Post nominal titles as status and professional designation indicator

Low overheads

Weaknesses

Lack of a general marketing strategy and programme

Lack of an official newsletter

Lack of commitment from employers of scientists

Lack of visibility of the Council and its activities

Purported lack of benefits to registered persons

Opportunities

High number of unregistered scientists

Further development of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 (Act 27 of 2003)

Possible financial grant from DST

Serving as an Quality Assurance Agency with the HEQC

Threats

Unregistered practitioners

Non-prosecution of transgressors of the Act

Invisibility of the Council and registered Natural Scientists

Underdevelopment of the SecretariatNon-representation of different natural science fields of

practice at Council level

Implementation of Council policies and applications

Non-payment of Council members

Appointment of Education Officer

Develop a Job Description for the Education Officer

Motivate to the DST for financial support

Advertise the post

On approval of budget, interview and make appointment

Salary: R350 000

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

Develop a Job Description for the CEO

Motivate to the DST for financial support

Advertise the post

On approval of budget, interview and make appointment

Salary: R550 000

Executing the Act

Organise office activities to deliver more efficiently on the

mandate

Increasing professionalism and competence amongst Natural Scientists

Protecting the community against incompetent practitioners

Representing ALL practitioners within the Natural Scientific Profession

Monitor and investigate all queries

Policy Improvement

Review all existing policies

Formulate and approve policies and practices for the regulation of the scientific profession in accordance of the Act

Develop and revise codes of conduct and practice

Update the work description that may be performed by registered professional scientists and certified scientists

Influence national policy in relation to scientific professions

Improving Registration Practices

Improving the processes of registration of scientists

Revising of registration requirements (qualifications and practical experience requirements)

Standardising of professional competence

Registration of all voluntary associations

Office Management

Improving the effectiveness of SACNASP as a Council

Personnel management, including the completion of the conditions of service of the office staff

Financial Management and budget control

Executing the Education Mandate

Ensuring the highest quality of training in the Natural Sciences

Evaluating and accrediting academic science programs

Accrediting institutions offering science programs

Establishing a memorandum of understanding with the HEQC of the Council on Higher Education with a view that SACNASP has the status of an ETQA

Increase the involvement of academics in SACNASP

Develop and Execute a Marketing StrategyMaking the Council mandate known to the public in generalDevelop a communication strategy in order to plan the

statutory role of the Council (Website, mailing list etc)Making the Council activities more visible to all students both

at secondary and tertiary institutionsDemonstrate to all members the concrete beneficial

advantages of registrationNotification of all appropriate news in Natural Science through

newsletters to be issued biannually

Cost R100 000

Budget SummaryITEM 2007/2008 2008/2009

INCOME

Annual Fees 1 700 000 2 146 710

Grant from DST - 1 146 000

Interest 100 000 130 000

Registration Fee 240 000 270 150

TOTAL INCOME 2 040 000 3 692 860

EXPENDITURE

General Office Activities 458 460 569 660

Advertising and Marketing 50 000 150 000

Honoraria for Councilors - 146 000

Legal Fees 75 000 175 000

Remuneration 1 693 200 2 643 300

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 2 276 660 3 683 960

OPERATING RESULTS -236 660 + 8 900

Grant Request from DST

ITEM GRANT REQUIRED

Advertising and Marketing R100 000

Salary of the CEO R550 000

Salary of the Education Officer R350 000

Council Honoraria R146 000

TOTAL R1 146 000